A symbol of stillness: The barn owl is our 2026 Conservation Story.

The barn owl is one of the most widely distributed bird species in the world, but in Canada, its future is far from secure. Restricted to southwestern regions of British Columbia and Ontario, where winters are milder, Canada’s barn owls face significant threats from road mortality, climate change and habitat loss—in fact, the smaller, endangered Eastern population is estimated at possibly fewer than a handful of breeding pairs.

The pale owl with the heart-shaped face is the featured star of the 2026 Specimen Dollar, which serves as both tribute and testament. It is a celebration of the barn owl’s ghostly elegance, and a hopeful reminder that with care, habitat protection and conservation, the barn owl can continue to grace our landscapes and stir twilight with its silent flight.

Highlighting the plight of the barn owl.

Good to know

Seventh in the series. The seventh specimen set in a series raising awareness of wildlife conservation and species recovery efforts in Canada.

A set exclusive. Exclusive to this set (and not available for individual purchase), this set’s Specimen Dollar highlights the plight of Canada’s declining barn owl population and the importance of wildlife habitat protection.

A world exclusive. The annual Specimen Set continues to be one of the most popular sets—in fact, the Royal Canadian Mint is the only mint that issues an annual set of coins in a specimen finish (brilliant/frosted relief against a lined background).

Packaged for easy viewing. All six denominations of Canadian circulation coinage—from the five-cent to the $2 coin, and even the 50-cent piece—are represented in this set. Your coins are presented side-by-side in elegant book-style packaging designed to further enhance your enjoyment of this set.

For nature and wildlife lovers. Inspire a love of coin collecting with this affordable set! With its educational theme and special dollar, it makes a great gift for animal lovers of all ages, and the perfect starter set for any new collector.

Limited supply. Only 30,000 sets are available worldwide.Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

Did you know?

The barn owl needs mild winters and grassland habitats—open fields, farmlands and meadows—in order to survive. As wooden farm buildings are replaced with more modern (and often bird-proof) structures, there has been a decline in suitable sites for this cavity nester. The loss of foraging habitats due to urbanization and agricultural intensification further impacts the barn owl, leading to increased road mortality as it takes to hunting prey along roadways at night.

Behind closed doors

“The barn owl has always captivated me—with its ghostly presence, it feels like a creature lifted straight from a fantasy tale. Its elegance and quiet beauty make it one of the most enchanting birds I know.”

– Pierre Girard, Artist

“Since the Specimen Dollar features a low-relief design, it’s important to capture every artistic nuance during the modelling stage, while still allowing space for later finishes like frostings and polishing. I especially enjoyed working on the owl’s face, adding delicate strokes to suggest the texture of feathers and even sculpting a tiny glint in each eye. It’s a subtle touch, no more than four hairs thick, but it makes a surprisingly strong impact on the coin.”

– Konrad Wachelko, Engraver-3D Artist

About the design

Your specimen set comes in elegant book-style packaging, with a removable lens that allows for easy viewing of your coins.

The reverse of the set-exclusive Specimen Dollar is by Canadian artist Pierre Girard, whose design highlights the majestic features of the barn owl (Tyto alba). Considered an endangered species both federally and provincially in Ontario, the nocturnal raptor is shown perched on an oak branch that provides an elevated vantage point. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

By placing an order, customers acknowledge and agree that if a product is out of stock after an order has been placed and payment has been processed, the order for that product will be cancelled and a refund will be issued; no substitute product will be provided. Some items may not be exactly as shown. Items available while quantities last. Canada Post reserves the right to limit purchase quantities on certain items. © 2026 Royal Canadian Mint. All rights reserved.

Product # 246224

Specimen Set - Conservation Stories: Barn Owl (2026)